Congratulations to the
2026 CALED Award Winners

Below are the Award of Excellence and Award of Merit recipients in each of the three categories
(Collaborations in Real Estate & Finance, Innovation in Digital Media, and Programs & Promotions).
Congratulations on your great work!

City of San Leandro, B3 Investors: Speedway at Bayfair

The City of San Leandro partnered with B3 Investors to launch Phase I of a multi-year transformation of the aging Bayfair Mall into a transit-oriented innovation campus. Phase I of Speedway at Bayfair converts 140,000 square feet of former retail space into flexible R&D facilities supporting technology, healthcare, and education employers, with an additional 260,000 square feet underway. The City acted as proactive facilitator — streamlining entitlements, coordinating infrastructure, providing concierge services, and leveraging regional grants. The project generates quality jobs, activates a declining site, strengthens fiscal stability, and advances the City’s long-term TOD and economic resilience strategy.

For more information, contact Lars Halle, Economic Development Specialist, (510) 577-3311.

City of Azusa: Vallarta Supermarkets – Edgewood Shopping Center

The City of Azusa facilitated the transformation of the Edgewood Shopping Center to allow for a 46,000 square foot Vallarta Supermarkets anchor through coordinated public-private collaboration. The City combined municipal utility infrastructure investment, an Economic Development electric rate, over $66,000 in absorbed plan check fees, and concierge-level expedited permitting to overcome barriers typical of grocery redevelopment. The project stabilized the center, restored neighborhood-serving retail to an area that has labored with under-investment for over 25 years.

For more information, contact Jose Daniel Jimenez, Economic Development Manager, (951) 703-4415.

City of Lincoln, Western Placer Unified School District, Lewis Communities: School Facilities Agreement

The School Facilities Agreement (Agreement) is a collaborative project between the City of Lincoln, Western Placer Unified School District (WPUSD), and the developer, Lincoln Land Holdings, LLC (Lewis LLC). The Agreement establishes a financing and implementation plan for a TK-8 school and joint-use park and recreation facilities to primarily serve the incoming residential population within the Village 7 master planned community. The partners will leverage community facilities district bonds, developer fees, local district resources, and state funding to address project development. The partnership ensures timely delivery of essential educational and recreational facilities while sharing costs and benefits among stakeholders.

For more information, contact Daniella Stepek, Economic Development Manager, (951) 703-4415.

City of Moreno Valley: From Vision to Velocity: Delivering the World Logistics Center

In 2012, Moreno Valley’s economy had been hit hard from the recent recession, with residents commuting out for work and high-value jobs scarce. To combat this, the City partnered with a private developer to lead the development of the World Logistics Center, a 40.6 million square foot logistics campus anchored by Fortune 500 companies. The project is projected to generate 33,000 jobs, boost the tax base, and expand workforce training programs with local colleges. By coordinating across agencies, the City transformed a complex, multi-year initiative into a citywide engine of growth, driving residential, commercial, medical, hospitality and industrial development.

For more information, contact Stephanie Macias, Acting Business & Workforce Development Division Manager, (951) 413-3462.

City of Ontario: Sports Empire

The City of Ontario purchased the future Ontario Sports Empire site in 2023-2024, securing the land needed to build what will become the largest multi-use sports complex on the West Coast. Construction is now underway and will continue through 2028, beginning with major site preparation, grading, and infrastructure installation across the nearly 200-acre campus. The purpose of the project was to create a regional economic engine while simultaneously expanding access to high-quality recreational amenities for Ontario residents.

For more information, contact Miranda Watkins, Economic Development Analyst, (909) 395-2761.

City of Fairfield Economic Development & City of Fairfield IT Department: Public Arts Tour

The Fairfield Public Arts Tour is a free, virtual open-air gallery showcasing temporary, large-scale artwork across Fairfield’s parks, streets, and civic spaces. Featuring regional and national artists, it invites residents and visitors to explore contemporary art in everyday settings and reflect on creativity, place, and community identity. The project uses a robust tech stack including ESRI QuickCapture for GPS-accurate field data, crowdsourced landmark verification, Google Street View and Earth for immersive navigation, ArcGIS MapViewer for spatial analysis, and ESRI StoryMaps to unify maps, media, and narrative into an engaging, spatially aware experience.

For more information, contact Keisha Mamaril, Economic Development Project Manager, (707) 428-7039.

City of Moreno Valley: Reel Impact MoVal

Reel Impact MoVal is the Moreno Valley Business & Employment Resource Center’s (BERC) bold transformation of economic development outreach through short-form digital media. Designed to modernize workforce communication and authentically engage Millennials and Generation Z (Gen-Z), the initiative leverages Instagram Reels, Facebook Reels, Canva, CapCut, Meta Insights analytics, and AI-assisted content strategy to convert traditional government messaging into culturally relevant, algorithm-optimized video content. By incorporating trending audio, dynamic editing, humor, and platform-native storytelling, the BERC reimagined how job fairs, workshops, and business programs are promoted; meeting residents where they are and redefining digital engagement as a strategic economic development tool.

For more information, contact Stephanie Macias, Acting Business & Workforce Development Division Manager, (951) 413-3462.

City of Newark: Flavors of Newark Restaurant Guide & Restaurant Roulette App

The City of Newark’s Economic Development Division promotes local dining through innovative and engaging digital tools: The Flavors of Newark Restaurant Guide and Restaurant Roulette app. The Restaurant Guide, available in both digital and print forms, organizes Newark’s eateries by cuisine, making it easy to explore options. For those who have difficulty deciding, the Restaurant Roulette app adds a tech-driven fun twist with a random wheel generator. Users can spin the Restaurant Roulette embedded on the City’s website for dining suggestions. It is an interactive way to discover and support local Newark businesses.

For more information, contact Naz Jalalidin, Management Analyst, (510) 673-4425.

City of Tustin: Project Tustin

Project Tustin is the City of Tustin’s comprehensive economic development initiative connecting City government with its business community through three integrated pillars: direct business visitation, data driven analytics, and multiple platform marketing. The program leverages professional project management software to smoothly coordinate business outreach, enterprise grade market intelligence that is disseminate directly to small businesses, and commercial creative platforms to produce high quality digital content. Together with regular trainings in utilizing these tools to their full potential, Economic Development staff have transformed what was once informal, reactive economic development into a structured, measurable program that meets businesses where they are

For more information, contact Valentin Flores, Deputy Director of Economic Development, City of Tustin, (714) 573-3121.

Madera County Economic Development Commission: Local Business Highlights

The Local Business Highlights Initiative was a strategic digital marketing project designed to promote, support, and elevate small businesses throughout Madera County. The project focused on showcasing local entrepreneurs, new business openings, expansions, and success stories through engaging content distributed across online platforms. The initiative leveraged digital marketing, including social media platforms such as Facebook and Instagram, to publish business highlights, grand opening announcements, video reels, and community features. Graphic design software such as Canva and Adobe Creative Cloud was utilized to create branded visual content, while short-form video content was produced using CapCut.

For more information, contact Elena Estrada, Business Development and Marketing Manager, Madera County Economic Development Commission, (559) 675-7768.

County of San Diego: Economic Prosperity through Innovative Contracting (EPIC)

Economic Prosperity through Innovative Contracting (EPIC) is the County of San Diego’s multi-pronged strategy to transform County procurement into a driver of regional economic development and equity. Aligning with AB 2019, EPIC sets a bold goal: directing 25% (over $500 million) of annual County contract spending to small and diverse businesses. The approach combines robust community engagement, sweeping policy reforms, supportive Small Business programs, internal culture change, and data-driven accountability. By leveraging $2 billion in purchasing power, EPIC creates pathways for small businesses to scale and thrive, foster inclusive growth, and strengthen the regional economy for generations to come.

For more information, contact Anita Walia, Small Business Manager, (619) 541-3524.

City of Citrus Heights: City of Citrus Heights Economic Development Work Plan 2025 – 2027

The City of Citrus Heights Economic Development Work Plan (EDWP) 2025–2027 is an adopted policy framework guiding business attraction, retention, expansion, and commercial revitalization. Developed through in-house market research, City Council direction, and extensive outreach with commercial property owners, brokers, and the business community, the EDWP aligns economic strategy with local conditions and priorities. It focuses on five initiative areas: Business Attraction & Development Services, Business Retention & Expansion, Small Business Support, Marketing & Placemaking, and Organizational Culture. Designed for a built-out community with aging retail and small office properties, the EDWP includes implementation tools to accelerate reinvestment and revitalization.

For more information, contact Meghan Huber, Economic Development & Community Engagement Director, City of Citrus Heights, (916) 727-4745.

City of Eastvale: Business First Concierge Program

Eastvale’s Business First Program is a concierge program that provides personalized assistance for new, existing, and interested businesses for every phase of the business development process. The complimentary service brings together the City’s Building & Safety, Economic Development, Fire, Planning, and Public Works Department to ensure that businesses thrive in Eastvale. This program aims to offer assistance to businesses interested in opening or expanding a business in Eastvale, provide connections to business incentives and resources, and assigns a member of staff to guide business owners and managers through the development process for tenant improvements or new constructions.

For more information, contact Alexander Fung, Economic Development Manager, City of Eastvale, (951) 407-4415.

City of Hemet: Hemet Community Events

In 2025, the City of Hemet launched a transformative suite of “Hemet Community Events,” a strategic initiative designed to catalyze economic growth and civic pride. This ambitious program featured high-impact inaugural events, including the Hemet Regional Economic Summit, 4th of July Drone Show, Entrepreneur Competition, Hemet Cruise, Hemet Toy Giveaway Tour, Food Festival alongside vibrant cultural festivals like Rodeo del Sol and HEMET AM Skateboarding. Collectively, these efforts drew over 50,000 attendees, successfully generating significant new revenue streams and revitalizing the local business climate. This comprehensive promotional strategy has solidified Hemet as a premier regional destination for innovation, entertainment, commerce.

For more information, contact Benigno Sandoval, Economic Development Director, City of Hemet, (951) 669-0265.

City of Indio: Indio Business Connect

Indio Business Connect (IBC) is a city-led business engagement and economic development program launched by the City of Indio and implemented throughout 2025. The program strengthens connections between the city and its business community by providing free business education, marketing support, networking opportunities, and access to resources. Through partnerships with the Inland Empire Center for Entrepreneurship Cal State University San Bernardino and the Coachella Valley Women’s Business Center, IBC delivered cohort-based Mini MBA and bilingual accelerator programs while expanding Shop Local initiatives and business communications. IBC has produced measurable economic outcomes, including job support, revenue growth, and increased business participation citywide.

For more information, contact Yanel Ramirez, Senior Economic Development Analyst, (760) 541-4253.

City of Jurupa Valley: Economic Development Strategic Plan

Jurupa Valley’s Economic Development Strategic Plan serves as a roadmap for strengthening the local economy, supporting businesses, and positioning the city for long-term growth. Officially adopted by the City Council, the plan outlines priorities and actionable strategies designed to support business expansion, attract new investment, create quality jobs, and enhance overall economic vitality.

The strategy focuses on building a resilient economy through targeted initiatives such as workforce development, entrepreneurship support, improving access to capital for businesses, and enhancing public safety and infrastructure to foster a strong business climate.

For more information, contact Daniel Avalos, Senior Management Analyst, (951) 332-6464.

City of Moreno Valley: MoVal Apprenticeship Hub

Facing critical workforce shortages, the City of Moreno Valley launched the MoVal Apprenticeship Hub as an employer-driven program. Established in 2021 in partnership with Moreno Valley College, the Hub aligns industry demand with local talent through a coordinated system of apprenticeship expos, business recruitment meetings, information sessions, and regional partnerships. The initiative reduces hiring friction for employers while expanding access to high-quality, earn-and-learn career pathways for students, veterans, and career changers. By strategically leveraging cross-sector resources, the MoVal Apprenticeship Hub strengthens business retention, supports expansion, and builds a competitive workforce infrastructure that drives long-term regional prosperity.

For more information, contact Stephanie Macias, Acting Business & Workforce Development Division Manager, (951) 413-3462.

City of Palmdale: Palmdale Eats Restaurant Week

The City of Palmdale held its inaugural “Restaurant Week,” Palmdale Eats, from September 21 to October 4, 2025. The event featured 15 local restaurants, intentionally chosen to showcase the City’s wide range of cuisines, that offered special meals or discounts throughout.

The City promoted these restaurants through an extensive marketing effort and provided all 15 businesses with much-needed marketing support and training.

The event encouraged residents to support their long-time favorites and discover new ones. Now an annual Business Retention & Expansion effort, Palmdale Eats is contributing to the long-term economic vitality of the restaurant sector in Palmdale.

For more information, contact Iris Osorio-Villatoro, Economic Development Coordinator, (661) 267-5210.

City of Pleasant Hill, KSPANNU LLC: Pleasant Hill Night Market

The Pleasant Hill Night Markets are a public-private partnership to support emerging entrepreneurs and small businesses in scaling up through growing their customer bases. In 2024, the residents of Pleasant Hill discovered a business climate that was uncertain for startups, residents who were unaware of local resources and civic leaders who wanted to promote a diversity the city was not being credited for. The Pleasant Hill Night Markets were launched in 2025 by business owner Sunny Pannu through his company KSPANNU LLC in partnership with the city of Pleasant Hill Economic Development to create economic development through connection among residents.

For more information, contact Bret Sweet, Economic Development Manager, (925) 586-0412.

City of Riverside: Riverside Realized – Economic Development Implementation Plan

Riverside Realized is a strategic implementation tool that brings the City’s economic development vision to life. Designed as both a high-quality printed coffee table book and a dynamic digital platform, it serves as a compelling narrative and actionable roadmap. The publication highlights the “Why Riverside” message, showcasing the city’s strengths and opportunities for investors and partners. The digital version allows for real-time updates, ensuring the strategy remains current and measurable. It also outlines key economic development goals and performance benchmarks, reinforcing transparency, accountability, and a clear path forward for sustained growth and investment.

For more information, contact Miranda Evans, Deputy Community & Economic Development Director, City of Riverside, (951) 323-3531.

City of San Carlos: Community Benefits Program

The San Carlos Community Benefits Program transforms the value generated by new development into tangible benefits and contributions to the community. Through a collaborative, project-by-project analysis and negotiation process, the City secured approximately $66.9 million in community benefit commitments between 2023 and 2025, with substantial contributions from two development projects in 2025. These investments support recreation, infrastructure, sustainability initiatives, downtown improvements, and other community-serving assets that strengthen quality of life and economic resilience. Through strong collaboration among City staff, City Council, and the community, the program ensures that development growth delivers real, lasting benefits for residents and the local economy.

For more information, contact Sajuti Haque, Economic Development & Housing Manager, City of San Carlos, (650) 802-4191.

City of Temecula & Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange: Temecula Small Business Market

The Temecula Small Business Market is a bi-annual showcase celebrating local entrepreneurship through a collaboration between the City of Temecula, the Entrepreneurial Resource Center (ERC) located at the Temecula Valley Entrepreneur’s Exchange (owned and operated by the City of Temecula), the Orange County Inland Empire Small Business Development Center, and the Randall W. Lewis School of Entrepreneurship and Innovation. Each market features 20-45 vendors who have successfully graduated from six to eight-week ERC startup programs designed for food and retail businesses. The market provides a real-world platform for these entrepreneurs to launch, grow, and connect, strengthening the local economy.

For more information, contact Mary Cervantes, Senior Management Analyst/TVE2 Manager, City of Temecula, (951) 506-5187.

City of Walnut Creek: Outdoor Dining PODS Grant Program

Dining Program to allow restaurants and bars to install Permitted Outdoor Dining Structures (PODS) in the public right of way, building on the success of pandemic-era outdoor dining. Enhanced design and safety standards were established, but high construction and operating costs limited participation, with only one PODS installed between 2022 and 2025. To accelerate activation, the City launched a $10,000 grant incentive in July 2025, funded by $100,000 from the downtown parking fund. The program resulted in six new PODS, $60,000 distributed, and significant private investment exceeding $280,000.

For more information, contact Kesava Washington, Economic Development Specialist, (925) 943-5812.

Riverside County Office of Economic Development: Blythe Marketfest

Blythe Marketfest is a program created to develop and expand a direct producer-to-consumer farmers’ market that improves access to locally and regionally produced agricultural goods while strengthening the local economy. The program is designed to increase sales for small businesses, retain existing jobs, create new employment opportunities, open new revenue streams to boost farm income, and provide a consistent, family-friendly community gathering space.

For more information, contact Kimberly Wright, Economic Development Manager, (951) 955-8916.

Congratulations to all the 2026 Award Winners!